The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to establish a Center for Excellence in Foster Family Development (the Center) to implement a model program for the selection, development, and support of foster families that will work in close collaboration with birth families to preserve

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and nurture critical parent-child relationships and support reunification.

This FOA awards a four year cooperative agreement.

Foster families participating in the program will be prepared and supported in providing enhanced reunification and stability supports to biological families as well as enhanced stability and well-being supports to children transitioning out of congregate care.

This demonstration grant will be administered through a cooperative agreement and awarded to one state, tribe, or tribal consortium that will install, implement, and evaluate the model program in 4 - 6 local sites.

The Center will secure the appropriate partnerships needed for effective and efficient model development, program implementation and evaluation activities.

The Center must meaningfully include and engage the voice and input of birth parents, foster parents, and youth with lived foster care experience at all stages of model development and implementation.